Camping

You can reserve a complete hike/camp itinerary with different campsites over up to 14 consecutive camping nights (28 nights November to March) with one reservation. With miles of hiking trails, and plenty of distance between campgrounds, South Cumberland State Park is popular with "hike & camp" visitors. One of the best ways to explore this vast park is by staying in a variety of campsites and hiking, biking or driving between them during your stay. To learn more about each of the campground facilities in the park, check out our Overnight Hikes page.

Multi-Night Camping in Different LocationsMultiple-night itineraries staying in different locations in the park, are limited by the number of sites selected in the first date segment in a reservation. Only the sites selected in the first segment incur a reservation fee. Additional sites, regardless of the number of campsites and nights selected, will not incur additional fees.

Camping in One LocationYou can select up to 5 campsites for up to 14 nights (28 nights November to March). A reservation fee is charged for each site selected.

If you need to cancel or change your reservation prior to your visit, or have any questions, please give us a call at 931-924-2980.

Some Important RemindersAll backpackers on overnight trips must register online before accessing the park. All overnight camping requires advance online reservations. Camp only in designated campgrounds. Check-in time for camping is 12:00 pm (Central); check-out time is 10:00 am (Central). Your camping receipt or name associated with reservation MUST be placed in the dash of each vehicle that is parked overnight. The gathering of firewood is limited to dead materials on the ground. Fires are permitted in established fire rings only. Don’t move fire rings, burn trash, or leave a fire unattended. Quiet Hours in all campgrounds are between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am.

All rock climbing requires advance online registration. At Stone Door, climbing and rappelling is only allowed in the designated climbing area. In the Fiery Gizzard, climbing is restricted to the routes in Foster Falls climbing area only. At Denny Cove, climbing is restricted to the climbing routes on the north cliff face. Rappelling is not allowed except at Stone Door.

South Cumberland State Park is an ecological sanctuary, and all features including plants and animals (living and dead), rocks, minerals, artifacts and fossils are protected by Tennessee State Law. Leave them as you find them. Violators are subject to prosecution.

As in any wilderness environment, obvious hazards exist. Visitors are reminded to exercise care, stay on marked trails and be adequately prepared for backcountry trips. Know the length and difficulty of the trail you plan to take. Be aware of local sunset times, and how long it will take to reach your destination. There is no hiking in the park after dark! Filter all stream and spring source drinking water. Use special caution when approaching high bluffs. Be careful with fires and help keep your state park beautiful and natural.

Important Changes to Backcountry Campgrounds at South Cumberland State Park

Raven's Point Campground on the Fiery Gizzard TrailMany guests of the South Cumberland State Park are familiar with the popular Raven's Point campsite on the Fiery Gizzard trail. Many don't know that this popular campsite is actually on private land. While guests and visitors will be able to continue utilizing the trail that is currently being rerouted on Fiery Gizzard, the campground has been closed indefinitely due to its location on private property. It is illegal to camp at Raven's Point after September 7th, 2015. Staff and actual trail signage direct visitors away from campground and bypass to the new trail.

Park officials want to create awareness of the fact that the park system has no jurisdiction on private property or land not owned by the park. Visitors should also be aware that most of the trail system along the rim of the Fiery Gizzard is, and will remain, private property.

Collins East Campground at Savage GulfThe Collins East Campground, located in the Savage Gulf area, permanently closed on September 7th, 2015 due to its location, accessibility and proximity to other areas of land that are privately owned and operated. Signage will detour visitors away from this campsite to other campgrounds in the park.

CCC Campground at Grundy ForestThe CCC Campground, located in the Grundy Forest area, permanently closed on November 30th, 2017, due to the onset of a new interpretive project that will restore that site to its original form as a camp for the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. You can learn more about the CCC Camp Restoration Project here. A new overnight campground at Grundy Forest will be developed, at some point in the future; however, there is presently no official date for the opening of that new site.

Park staff would like to kindly remind visitors to please enjoy and take care of the trail system. The staff and Friends here at South Cumberland State Park appreciate your patience and cooperation as these changes take place. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Park Office at 931-924-2980.